Musical twib Moment as Ode to Joy Cheers Up Neighbors in Lockdown

Last Sunday evening, while enduring these difficult and uncertain times, I had a beautiful twib moment and realized that music can bring comfort and solidarity.

At 6:00 PM, the usual quietness outside – due to the curfew ordered by the government to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus – was suddenly interrupted. Neighbors, professional musicians and laymen were playing Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” from their balconies and terraces.

The sound could be heard all over town here in Munich. Many other German cities, from Karlsruhe to Berlin, also followed the movement initiated by the Opera of Stuttgart (photo above: music director Cornelius Meister & family) where the musicians have been confined at home during the lockdown.

The sound flash mob originally started in Italy. With their so-called “Flash Mob Sonoro”, the Italians have been keeping each other company by singing or playing music by their windows. Now, this touching sign of keeping the spirits up has also reached my own country.